Orbital vibrating hand trowel

ABSTRACT

The orbital vibrating hand trowel has a body with first and second opposite ends and a handle between the ends for grasping. The body houses a motor and power source. An eccentric mass is connected to the motor. An adapter body is connected to a float body. The adapter body has an aperture for housing the eccentric mass such that rotation of the eccentric mass within the aperture of the adaptor body moves and vibrates the adaptor body and attached float body in an orbital path along a horizontal plane with respect to the float body for finishing a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is widely known that a hand trowel is a flat-bladed tool with ahandle and flat metal blade, used by masons and others for leveling,spreading, or shaping substances such as cement, plaster, or mortar.Also appreciated is the fact that the work output required by the userfinishing a work surface with a hand trowel is decreased significantlyif some other additional energy input is provided on the trowel, such asa vibration or a sonic energy generator. It is also agreed upon thatvibration and/or sonic energy added to a hand trowel makes the trowelincreasingly efficient over those trowels where the user alone providesthe only work input. Thus, the trend in hand trowel construction is toincrease the efficiency of the hand trowel and decrease the work inputrequired by the user by increasing the work input to the hand trowelusing an alternative energy source.

Therefore, what is needed is an orbital vibrating hand trowel thatcombines the use of vibration energy with the orbital movement of thetrowel for quickly and efficiently finishing a work surface, whiledemanding less physical input by the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus thatis inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, free from electrical cords(cordless), rechargeable and capable of being fitted to various sizedand operational float bodies, as well as significantly reducing thephysical work input provided by the user and time requirement to finisha surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to improve over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a hand trowel that is comfortable to operate.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention is to provide a hand trowel that does not fatigue the user.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention toprovide a hand trowel that is adaptable to accommodate a float body ofvarious sizes and applications.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention toprovide a hand trowel that uses orbital translation in combination withvibration of the float for efficiently finishing a work surface.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention toprovide a hand trowel for finishing off cement.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a hand trowel for finishing off a plaster surface.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel for finishing off mortar.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide hand trowel wherein the electrical components are encased in thehandle for protection from the work environment.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionis to provide a hand trowel wherein the motor and electrical leads fromthe battery and/or switch to the motor are quickly accessible.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein a switch for selectively applying power tothe motor is operatively located on the handle.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the battery is a replaceable, chargeableNiCad battery.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the battery encased in the handle ischargeable using a DC connector operatively positioned on the handle.

Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the motor is positioned in the handle andis replaceable without undue labor and time involvement.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein an eccentric mass is attached to the shaftof the motor.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionis to provide a hand trowel wherein a housing having an aperture forreceiving the eccentric mass is attached to the float.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the diameter of the aperture in thehousing is approximately the diameter of the eccentric mass.

Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention isto provide a hand trowel wherein the motor is a high-speed motor withhigh-speed bearings.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein slack between the sidewall of the apertureand the eccentric mass allows for rotation of the eccentric mass withthe aperture.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionis to provide a hand trowel wherein rotation of the eccentric masswithin the aperture affects orbital translation of the float.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel that is collapsible for cleaning, storing,repairing and maintaining.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the eccentric mass has an aperture forreceiving and attaching to the shaft of the motor.

Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention isto provide a hand trowel wherein the aperture for housing the eccentricmass is fitted with a high-speed bearing to facilitate transfer oforbital movement and vibration from the eccentric mass to the floatbody.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionis to provide a hand trowel wherein the aperture in the eccentric massis off-center for producing vibration and an orbital movement duringrotation of the eccentric mass.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein off-center rotational movement of theeccentric mass within the aperture in the housing causes the housing tovibrate and translate in an orbital pattern which in-turn is transferredto the float body thereby providing vibration and orbital translation ofthe float body in a plane parallel to the float body.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a hand trowel wherein the eccentric mass has a first stagehaving a first diameter and a second stage having and second diameterand the second diameter being larger than the first diameter for drivingthe adaptor body about an orbital pathway.

Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention isto provide a hand trowel wherein the shaft from the motor is supportedby a high-speed bearing to facilitate rotation of the shaft and theattached eccentric mass.

According to one aspect of the present invention an orbital vibratinghand trowel, is disclosed. The trowel has a body having a first andsecond opposite end and a handle between the ends for grasping. Thetrowel also includes a motor and power source within the body. The powersource is in electrical communication with the motor. An eccentric massis connected to the motor and an adapter body is connected to a floatbody. The adapter body has an aperture for housing the eccentric mass.The eccentric mass rotates within the aperture of the adaptor body tomove and vibrate the adaptor body and attached float body in an orbitalpath along a horizontal plane with respect to the float body forfinishing a work surface.

According to another feature of the present invention, the handle havinga switch positioned thereon for switching power on and off from thepower source to the motor.

According to another feature of the present invention, the power sourcepositioned within the handle is a rechargeable power source.

According to another feature of the present invention, the handle havinga DC connection positioned thereon for communicating power to the powersource for recharging the power source.

According to another feature of the present invention, rotation of theeccentric mass thereby affects translation of the float body along theorbital path.

According to another feature of the present invention, rotation of theeccentric mass thereby affects vibration of the float body along thehorizontal plane with respect to the float body.

According to another feature of the present invention, the diameter ofthe aperture in the adaptor body is approximately the diameter of theeccentric mass.

According to another feature of the present invention, the aperture inthe adaptor body having a collar for securing the eccentric mass withinthe aperture.

According to another feature of the present invention, the eccentricmass having a dimensional center and an aperture positioned off centerof the dimensional center for connecting to a shaft on the motor.

According to another feature of the present invention, the eccentricmass is removably attached to the shaft of the motor.

According to another feature of the present invention, the diameter ofthe aperture in the adaptor body varies to accommodate variation in thediameter of the eccentric mass.

According to another feature of the present invention, the adaptor bodyhaving at least one pilot hole for securing the float body to theadaptor body using a screw.

According to another feature of the present invention, the float andadaptor body follows the lateral translation of the eccentric mass alongthe orbital pathway.

According to another feature of the present invention, the first end ofthe body housing the motor therein.

According to another feature of the present invention, the second end ofthe body having a spacer connected thereto, the spacer being connectedto the float body.

According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer havingat least one pilot hole for securing the spacer to the second end of thebody.

According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer andthe adaptor body having the same thickness.

According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer havingat least one screw for connecting the spacer to the float body.

According to another feature of the present invention, the float bodyhaving a first and second opposite end and an elevated rib running thelength of the float body, the first end being connected to the adaptorbody and the second opposite end being connected to the spacer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the float bodybeing pivotable about the spacer on the second end to thereby assistorbital translation and vibration of the float body about the first end.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an orbitalvibrating hand trowel, is disclosed. The trowel has a motor within ahandle. The trowel includes an eccentric mass connected to the motor andan aperture within an adaptor body attached to a float body. Theaperture is for housing the eccentric mass. Rotation of the eccentricmass within the aperture affects orbital translation and vibration ofthe attached float body for finishing a work surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an orbitalvibrating hand trowel for finishing a work surface, is disclosed. Thetrowel has a body for gripping and housing a motor. The trowel includesa housing having an aperture and adapted for attachment to a float body.An eccentric mass is connected to the motor and received within theaperture for affecting orbital translation and vibration of the floatfor finishing the work surface.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent from the specification andclaims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 2-2 of the isometric view in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the housing and eccentricmass of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of the housing and eccentric mass of thepresent invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention includes a number of aspects all of which havebroad and far-reaching application. Although specific embodiments aredescribed herein, the present invention is not to be limited to thesespecific embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention. In FIG. 1, oneembodiment of the trowel 10 is shown as having generally a body 12having a first end 14 and a second opposite end 16 and handle 18extending between the two ends 14, 16 for gripping. The first end 14 ofthe body 12 further comprises a motor cap 20 providing quick access andprotection for a motor positioned within the body 12. The second end ofthe body 12 has pilot holes 17 allowing passage of a screw for attachingthe body 12 to the spacer 24. The spacer 24 is in-turn connected to thefloat body 30. The body 12 also comprises a switch 26 for selectivelyproviding power to a motor. Also included on the body 12 is a DCconnector 28 for charging or providing power to a power source housedwithin the body 12. An adaptor body 22 is connected to the first end 14of the body 12. In addition, the adaptor body 22 is attached to thefloat body 30. Both the spacer 24 and the adaptor body 22 may beseparate pieces or part of the body 12. The float body 30 has a firstend 32 and an opposite second end 34 and an elevated rib 36 runningbetween the ends 32, 34 for connecting to the body 12. The float body 30is preferably a float for finishing a surface consisting of a workablematerial, such as concrete or plaster. The float body 30 may be ofdifferent shapes and sizes thereby accommodating different tasks. Thefloat body 30 may be interchangeable. It is preferred that the spacer 24on the second end 16 of the body 12 and the adaptor body 22 on the firstend 14 of the body 12 are of equal thickness. However, the spacer 24 andadaptor body 22 may have a different thickness to accommodatemanufacturing and application needs. Furthermore, the thickness of thespacer 24 and adaptor body 22 may be varied jointly or separately toaccommodate a different size and shape float body 30. The thickness ofthe spacer 24 and the adaptor body 22 may also be varied to change thepitch of the handle 18 on the body 12 with respect to the float body 30.Both the adaptor body 22 end the spacer 24 are attached to the floatbody 30 along the elevated rib 36. It is preferred that the body 12 beconstructed of a high impact material capable of protecting the devicefrom the abuse commonly associated with commercial grade tools.Additionally, it is preferred that the body 12 of the trowel 10 beconstructed of a material that is easy to grip and non-fatiguing.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 2-2 of the isometric view in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, one embodiment ofthe trowel 10 is shown as having a body 12. Within the body 12 is apower source 19. It is preferred that the power source be a rechargeableNiCad battery or any other power source which permits stand-aloneoperation of the trowel 10, where stand-alone operation means without apower cord being attached. Thus, any power source that is rechargeable,durable and provides stand-alone operation of the trowel is suitable asa power source. The power source 19 is in electrical communication withthe motor 15 positioned in the first end 14 of the body 12. The motor ispreferably a commercial or industrial grade motor. The motor also shouldbe a high-speed motor with high-speed bearings suitable for the wears ofuse in a commercial or industrial setting. The motor is preferably asealed motor if exposed to work elements, but may have an imperviouscasing if protected within the body of the trowel. The power source 19is also in electrical communication with the switch 26 for selectivelyproviding power from the power source 19 to the motor 15. The switch 26may be a variable power switch for varying the speed of the motor 15 andsubsequently the orbital rotation and vibration of the float body 30.The switch 26 may be lockable to permit sustained operation of thetrowel 10 without having to depress or continually hold the switch inthe on position. The power source 19 and the motor 15 are encased withinthe body 12 and protected from being interrogated by elements externalto the trowel 10. The power source 19 and the motor 15 are bothaccessible within the body 12. By removing the motor cap 20 electricalcommunication to motor 15 from the switch 26 and the power source 19 canbe verified and remedied. The body 12 of the trowel 10 may be a singlepiece or a multi-piece body thereby permitting easy access to theinternal workings of the trowel 10. The second end 16 of the body 12comprises pilot holes 17 for inserting a screw 25 for securing thespacer 24 to the body 12. An additional pilot hole 17 is placed withinthe spacer 24 for securing the float body 30 to the spacer 24 using ascrew 25. The pilot hole 17 within the spacer is intentionally oversizedwith respect to the size of the screw 25 so as to allow transitionalmovement of the float body 30 with respect to the spacer 24 while yetkeeping the float body 30 attached to the spacer 24. Thus, as the firstend 32 of the float body 30 is translated along an orbital pathway, thesecond end 34 translates in reciprocating fashion along the same axis ofthe body 12 and about the oversized pilot hole 17 in the spacer 24. Thespacer may be constructed of numerous materials and in numerous ways. Itis preferred that the attachment used to affix the body 12 of the trowel10 to the float body 30 be rigid and strong yet permit translation ofthe float body 30 forward and backwards with respect to a line of axiscollinear with the length of the body 12.

Also illustrated by FIG. 2 is the first end 14 of the body 12 thathouses the motor 15. The motor has a shaft 21 extending downward towardthe float body 30 and an eccentric mass 23 attached thereto. Theeccentric mass 23 is housed within the aperture 38 in the adaptor body22. high-speed bearing may be used to the form the inner liner of theaperture 38 to ease the stress on the motor 15 and friction on theeccentric mass 23, as well as increase the efficiency of the trowel 10.Using a high-speed bearing to form the aperture 38 would also diminishthe amount of wear and tear on the eccentric mass 23 gyrating within theaperture 38. The diameter of the aperture 38 in the adaptor body 22 isapproximately the diameter of the eccentric mass 23, where the eccentricmass has two different stages; the first stage 52 having a firstdiameter 54 and the second stage 56 having a second diameter 58. Thedifference between the diameters of the eccentric mass 23 and theaperture 38 within the adaptor body 22 is sufficient to allow rotationalmovement of the eccentric mass 23 within the aperture 38. The adaptorbody 22 has also a collar 40 for retaining the eccentric mass 23 withinthe aperture 38, as best shown by FIG. 3. Also within the adaptor body22 are pilot holes 17. Screws 25 are placed within pilot holes 17 forsecuring the adaptor body 22 to the float body 30. The eccentric mass 23is preferably attached to the shaft 21 of the motor using set screw 48,but may be attached using a keyway and key, or simply by a press-fit.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the housing and eccentricmass of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. Similarly,FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of one embodiment of the housing andeccentric mass of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.Both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate how rotation of the eccentric mass 23within the aperture 38 in the adaptor body 22 effects orbitaltranslation and vibration of the float body 30. In particular, the motor15 rotates shaft 21 having the eccentric mass 23 attached thereto, usingset screw 48. The eccentric mass 23 is attached to the shaft 21 byinserting the shaft 21 of the motor 15 into the aperture 42 within theeccentric mass 23. The aperture 42 in the eccentric mass 23 has anoffset center 46 from the actual or true dimensional center 44 of theeccentric mass 23, as best illustrated by FIG. 4. The center offset 46of the aperture 42 within the eccentric mass 23 affects orbital movementof the eccentric mass 23 about the true or actual dimensional center 44of the eccentric mass 23. Movement of the adaptor body 22 and theattached float body 30 occurs as the eccentric mass 23 rotates orbitallykeeping the outer periphery 50 of the second stage 56 of the eccentricmass 23 in continuous contact with the aperture wall 60 thereby pushingthe adaptor body 22 radially outward along the rotating orbital point ofcontact between the aperture wall 60 and the outer periphery 50 of thesecond stage 56 of the eccentric mass 23. Thus, the rotation of theeccentric mass 23 within the aperture 38 effects translation of theadaptor body 22 along an orbital path. Additionally, the rotation of theeccentric mass 23 induces a vibration into the adaptor body 22 attachedto the float body 30. Thus, when a user activates the motor 15 using theswitch 26 the eccentric mass 23 begins to rotate within the aperture 38thereby effecting orbital translation and vibration of the adaptor body22. The orbital translation and vibration of the adaptor body 22attached to the float body 30 effects orbital translation and vibrationof the float body 30, as the adaptor body 22 is attached to the floatbody 30.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention. In FIG. 5, theorbital vibration and translation of the float body is illustrated. Themovement of the rotation of the eccentric mass 23 within the aperture 38in the adaptor body 22 causes the float body 30 to translate in anorbital manner about the actual or true dimensional center 44 of theeccentric mass 23. The float body 30 is permitted to translate back andforth with respect to the body 12 and along a line of axis that iscollinear with the length of the body 12. Additionally, by offsettingthe aperture 42 from the actual or true dimensional center 44 causes avibration to resonate from the eccentric mass 23 into the float body 30.Thus, the combination of the orbital translation of the float body 30 aswell as the vibration introduced in the float body 30 allows the user toefficiently and quickly close off or finish a surface of workablematerial such as cement, plaster, mortar, or any other shapeable,spreadable, or levelable substance.

The present invention contemplates numerous other options in the designand use of the trowel.

These and/or other options, variations, are all within the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. An orbital vibrating hand trowel, comprising: a body having a firstand second opposite end and a handle between the ends for grasping; amotor and power source within the body, the power source in electricalcommunication with the motor; an eccentric mass connected to the motor;an adapter body connected to a float body, the adapter body having anaperture for housing the eccentric mass; and, the eccentric massrotating within the aperture of the adaptor body to move and vibrate theadaptor body and attached float body in an orbital path along ahorizontal plane with respect to the float body for finishing a worksurface.
 2. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein thehandle having a switch positioned thereon for switching power on and offfrom the power source to the motor.
 3. The orbital vibrating hand trowelof claim 1 wherein the power source positioned within the handle is arechargeable power source.
 4. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim1 wherein the handle having a DC connection positioned thereon forcommunicating power to the power source for recharging the power source.5. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein rotation of theeccentric mass within the aperture thereby affecting translation of thefloat body along the orbital path.
 6. The orbital vibrating hand trowelof claim 1 wherein rotation of the eccentric mass thereby affectingvibration of the float body along the horizontal plane with respect tothe float body.
 7. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 whereinthe diameter of the aperture in the adaptor body is approximately thediameter of the eccentric mass.
 8. The orbital vibrating hand trowel ofclaim 1 wherein the aperture in the adaptor body having a collar forsecuring the eccentric mass within the aperture.
 9. The orbitalvibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the eccentric mass having adimensional center and an aperture positioned off center of thedimensional center for connecting to a shaft on the motor.
 10. Theorbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the eccentric mass isremovably attached to the shaft of the motor.
 11. The orbital vibratinghand trowel of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the aperture in theadaptor body varies to accommodate variation in the diameter of theeccentric mass.
 12. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 whereinthe adaptor body having at least one pilot hole for securing the floatbody to the adaptor body using a screw.
 13. The orbital vibrating handtrowel of claim 1 wherein the float and adaptor bodies follow thetranslation of the eccentric mass along the orbital pathway.
 14. Theorbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the first end of thebody housing the motor therein.
 15. The orbital vibrating hand trowel ofclaim 1 wherein the second end of the body having a spacer connectedthereto, the spacer being connected to the float body.
 16. The orbitalvibrating hand trowel of claim 15 wherein the spacer having at least onepilot hole for securing the spacer to the second end of the body. 17.The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 16 wherein the spacer and theadaptor body having the same thickness.
 18. The orbital vibrating handtrowel of claim 17 wherein the spacer having at least one screw forconnecting the spacer to the float body.
 19. The orbital vibrating handtrowel of claim 18 wherein the float body having a first and secondopposite end and an elevated rib running the length of the float body,the first end being connected to the adaptor body and the secondopposite end being connected to the spacer.
 20. The orbital vibratinghand trowel of claim 19 wherein the float body being pivotable about thespacer on the second end to thereby assist orbital translation andvibration of the float body about the first end.
 21. An orbitalvibrating hand trowel, comprising: a body housing a motor having ashaft; an eccentric mass adapted for connection to the shaft; anaperture within an adaptor body defined by an aperture wall, theaperture housing the eccentric mass and the adaptor body being attachedto a float body; and the eccentric mass elliptically orbiting within theaperture about the shaft and against the aperture wall thereby affectingorbital translation and vibration of the attached float body forfinishing a work surface.
 22. An orbital vibrating hand trowel forfinishing a work surface, the trowel comprising: a body for gripping andhousing a motor; an adaptor body having an aperture defined by anaperture wall, the adaptor body being adapted for attachment to a floatbody; and an eccentric mass connected to the motor and received withinthe aperture, the eccentric mass contacting the aperture wall therebyaffecting orbital translation and vibration of the float for finishingthe work surface.
 23. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 22wherein the motor is a high-speed motor with high-speed bearings. 24.The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 23 wherein the aperture wallis a high-speed bearing for minimizing the stress on the shaft and themotor as well as the friction between the eccentric mass and aperturewall during orbital translation of the eccentric mass.